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Calorie Counts Didn't Affect Fast Food Choices

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Nutrition facts posted in fast food restaurants have no bearing on what parents order for their kids, or what teens choose for themselves, a new study shows.
Researchers surveyed 349 children ages 1-17 who dined at fast food restaurants in New York City, and found that nutrition facts posted in the restaurant did not lead to lower-calorie purchases.
The study is called "Child and Adolescent Fast-Food Choice and the Influence of Calorie Labeling: A Natural Experiment," and was published Feb. 15 in the International Journal of Obesity. 
Posting calorie information became mandatory for New York City's chain restaurants in 2008. That summer, researchers visited McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, KFC and other fast food chains in New York City's low-income neighborhoods -- both before and after labeling was introduced -- to record consumers' numbers of calories purchased.
The study found that parents did not make a significant reduction in the amount of calories they ordered for their children after nutrition information had been posted. 
Out of adolescents surveyed, 57 percent reported noticing the new calorie labeling, but only 9 percent took this information into consideration when ordering. 
Of those who participated in the study, 69 percent of children came in with parents, and 31 came in alone. Ninety percent of the survey participants belonged to racial or ethnic minority groups.
While adults were slightly more responsive than adolescents to the newly posted nutritional information, the study found that neither group ordered food that added up to a significantly lower calorie count.
The results of this study, while limited to a small area and population, could have negative implications for the new government mandate that chains nationwide list nutritional information openly, a requirement included in the new healthcare act. 
Whether what goes on the wall affects what goes on the tray remains to be seen for other regions of the country.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on February 17, 2011 (boomark / email).